Cover for coal-cars



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1. I

T. M. NALTON. COVER FOR GOAL CARS.

N o. 50 Patented Dec. 5, 1893.

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ATTORNEYS,

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

T. M. N ALTON COVER FOR G OAL CARS.

Patented Dec. 5, 1893.

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ATTORNEYS a t e e h S m e e h s 3 m NA 00 M L AW NR m R E TV 0 G A d o M 0 W Patented Dec. 5, 1893.

5 gether.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIC THOMAS M. NALTON, OF SYRACUSE, NEV YORK.

COVER FOR COAL-CARS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 509,935, dated December 5, 1893.

Application filed December 5, 1892- Sen'al No. 454,057. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, THOMAS M. NALTON, of Syracuse,in the county of Onondaga and State of New York, have invented new and 5 useful Improvements in Covers, of which the .followin g, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to improvements in r covers particularly applicable for cars for conveying coal and other commodities without the usual loss and deterioration in quality heretofore experienced in their conveyance, and for permitting the ready removal of said commodities; and it has for its object the production of a cover supporting body, guides supported by the sides of said body, cover sections movable along said guides into and out of operative position, and fasteners and stops for retaining said cover sections in their operative and inoperative positions.

The invention furthermore consists in the detail construction and arrangementof the parts, all as hereinafter more particularly described and pointed out in the claims.

In describing this invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which like letters indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

vation of the parts as shown at Fig. 1, portions of said parts being broken away. Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view, taken on line33, Fig. 1. Fig.4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the upper portions 0 of the parts as shown at Fig. 3, portions of said parts being broken away. Fig. dis a detail elevation of the adjacent ends of the connection between the opposite sides of the car body and the lever for securing said ends to- Fig. 6 is an enlarged elevation of a portion of one side of the body, the cover section secured to said side, and the rib provided on the cover section and movable in said guide. Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail vertical sectional view, taken on line 77,

Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a similar sectional view of the upper portions of the parts shown at Fig. 7, the cover section being illustrated in its upright position. Fig. 9 is a similar sectional view of the parts as shown at Fig. 8, the cover section being illustrated as in its operative position. Fig. 1.0 is an isometric perspective of a portion of the rib provided upon the under face of the cover section. Fig. 11 is an enlarged detail horizontal sectional view, taken on line 11 11-, Fig. 3. Fig. 12 is an isometric view of a modified form of projecting rib for the cover section. Fig. 13 is a vertical sectional view of a modified form of cover section guide, and Fig. 14 is a side elevation of the parts as shown at Fig. 13, the cover section being shown by dotted lines.

-A-- represents the body of the receptacle for my improved cover, which is shown as a car composed of the end sides --aa and the longitudinal sides act having strengthening ribs a. a on their outer faces, and B- represents the cov r, which is composed of sections bbbb. These cover sections are movable into and out of operative position, as presently described, and, as clearly shown at Figs. 1, 3, and 4, when in operative position, they incline upwardly from their outer edges, and their inner edges bbare in close contact for preventing the entrance of snow, rain, &c. The entrance of snow, rain, &c., is further prevented by overlapping ribs -b b which are formed upon the inner end sides of the left-hand pair of cover sections and lap upon the adjacent end sides of the righthand pair of cover sections. Moreover, it is evident, to one skilled in the art, that the cover sections upon one side of the body may be provided, if desired, at their inner edges with overlapping shoulders, not illustrated, similar to the shoulders -b lapping upon the adjacent inner side edges of thecover sections at the other side of the body.

The cover sections --bare movable along guides C, each of which preferably consists of a block or piece movably secured to the outer face of the corresponding side of the body A- and formed with a lengthwise groove -cfor receiving a projecting rib b upon the inner face of the cover section.

These ribs are preferably formed tubular, of suitable sheet metal, although they may be formed solid of wood or other suitablematerial, and they are suitably secured to the cover sections by clamping means b-, which may be of any desirable form, size, and construction. When formed tubular the inner faces'of the ribs b may be provided with openings b Figs. 7 and 10, for facilitating engagement of the clamping means b. The grooves c in the guides -G are preferably dovetailed, and consequently the portion of the ribs -11 movable in said grooves is similarly shaped,

and is, therefore, held from escapement from the grooves.

I preferably place two guide ribs b b upon each cover section b, and consequently use two guides -OO for each cover section. At the opposite longitudinal edges of each of the cover sections forming the outer and inner edges of said sections when in their operative position, I provide suitable stops -D'-b which engage the adjacent faces of the guides C, and limit the lengthwise movement of the cover section ribs 11 within the slots -c. These stops preferably consist of an angularly bent piece of metal or similar material secured by suitable fastening means b to the inner face of the cover section provided therewith. The guides C are preferably provided with trunnions --c.--c'-, which enter sockets c -c in the adjacent faces of the separated plates O-O secured by suitable fastening means c to the outer faces of the longitudinal sides aaof the body A-, and said guides are also formed at one end with an arm .C which rests upon the upper edge of the corresponding side of the body when the cover section, movable along said guide, is in its operative position.

In their normal inoperative position the cover sections are arranged at the outside of the corresponding sides of the body A with their upper stops D- in engagement with the adjacent ends c of the guides c, as shown at Figs. 1 and 7. When desired to force the cover sections to their operative position they are moved upwardly until their lower stops b engage the opposite faces of the guides C., as shown at Fig, 8, whereupon the guides .O- are rocked upon their trunnions, and the cover section and guide assume the position shown at Figs;

1, 3, 4, and 9 with the arm O of the guide supported upon the top edge of the corresponding body side. 7

The described construction of support for the cover sections is particularly simple, economical in manufacture, and durable, effective, and strong in use.

When in their operative position the adjacent inner edges of oppositely arranged cover sections are locked together, the stop flange or shoulder D- of one of said cover sections being formed with a socket d-, and the stop flange or shoulder D- of the other cover section being formed with a lug or shoulder --cZ- for entering the socket d. The shoulder or lug d secured, as described, upon one of the cover sections, interlocks with the oppositely arranged cover section when the adjacent ends of said cover sections are in a planeslightly above their plane assumed when in their normal position, and, as the inner sides of said cover sections are forced downwardly to operative position, their adjacent edges are firmly forced together and positively interlocked. When desired to remove a cover section from its operative position the inner side of said cover section and the oppositely arranged cover section are slightly elevated until the shoulder or lug on one of said sections is disengaged from the socket on the other section, whereupon one section may be forced to its inoperative position and the other returned to its operative position.

To facilitate ready handling of the cover sections they are provided on their outer faces with hand engaging loops B'-B, and may, if desired, be provided with similar engaging loops on their inner faces.

--EE represent shoulders on the outer portions of the inner faces of the cover sections -bbfor preventing the cover sections from sliding lengthwise of the guides OC when in their operative position. These shoulders preferably consist of a separate piece secured in position by suitable fas' tening means ee, and are formed with a rounding face e for engaging a shoulder or rib F- extending upwardly above the top edge of the corresponding longitudinal side .a' of the body A The rib or shoulder -F consists preferably of a piece of sheet metal secured in position by suitable fastening means f and provided with cut-outs registering with the arms C C of the corresponding guides -O. The ribs -F are further supported by supporting blocks or pieces F' secured by suitable fastening means F to the corresponding longitudinal side of the body A- and formed with inwardly extending arms F imposed above the top edge of said longitudinal side of the body with their inner faces bearing against the outer face of said rib.

As previously stated the left-hand cover sections bb are provided at their inner side edges with shoulders -b b lapping upon the similar side edges of the right-hand cover sections, and, in order to additionally secure said cover sections in their operative position, I provide fasteners G -G consisting of staples ggupon the outer side edges of said cover sections bb, hasps Vgg' hinged to said staples, and locking shoulders g g secured to the left-hand end Wall aof the body A for engaging the hasps gg-.- As clearly seen at Fig. 1 this fastener G serves also to secure the left-hand cover sections in their inoperative position, and the shoulders b b upon the left-hand cover sections engage the right-hand cover sections when in their inoperative position, and serve to prevent the same from swinging outwardly.

In order to additionally secure the cover sections in their inoperative position I provide fasteners -H- consisting of loops hsecured by suitable fastening means h'- to the outer faces of the correspondinglongitudinal body sides -a'- of the body A, and hooks h secured by suitable fastening means h to the lower extremity of the inner faces of the cover sections and adapted to engage the cross-bar h of the loop -I-I'-. The engaging shoulder h of each of said hooks h is preferably inclined for facilitating its ready engagement with the corresponding cross-bar--h as the cover is moved downwardly from its position shown at Fig. 8, and the shank of said hook, as clearly seen at Fig. 7, rests upon the cross bar h of the loop hfor aiding the top stop --D- in sustaining the weight of the cover section b provided with said hook and top stop.

Spreading of the central portions of the longitudinal sides aa' of the body -A is prevented by aconnection I con sisting of a pair of sections 'ic' having their outer ends suitably secured to the central portions of said sides, and theirinner ends approximated, and a lever t"- hinged at -t' t' to the inner ends of the sections -i--t'- and formed with an arm vl for engaging one of the sections i when in its normal position, as shown at Fig. 3. When the lever -l"--- is in its upright position the adjacent ends of the sections t'-iof the connection I- are slightly separated, and these ends are drawn together as the lever is rocked to its horizontal position as shown at Fi 3.

it Fig. 12 I have shown a rib b adapted to be secured to the inner faces of the cover sections in place of the rib -b previously described. This ribb may be easily cast or otherwise formed, and consists of three sides b b"b arranged at an angle with each other, and cross bars -b arranged above one of the sides b between the adjacent faces of the two opposite sides.

At Figs. 13 and 14 I have shown a portion of one of the-longitudinal sides a'- of the car body, a single cover section -b, and a guide -J of somewhat different construction from the guide C. As clearly seen in the drawings this guide is fixed to the outer face of the car body sidea-, and movable lengthwise of the guide is a block J- hinged at jto an ear jsecured to the outer or lower side of the cover section b-. The ear jis formed with diverging arms j which are secured to the cover section --bby suitable fastening means My improved cover is particularly applicable for use on cars for transporting coal and other commodities, which are at present subjected in passage to the influence of the elements, since, when transported in my improved car, they reach their destination in as good a condition as when loaded, andare of substantially the same bulk, as all loss by stealing and jarring from the open cars is entirely prevented.

The operation of my invention will be readily perceived from the foregoing description and upon reference to the drawings, and it will be particularly noted that the same is simple in construction, durable and efiective in use; that the cover sections are easily handled and forced to their operative or inoperative position, and are firmly held in their position.

The section -it'- and the lever i forming the connection --I are particularly applicable for preventing spreading of the central portions of the longitudinalsides of the body -A-, but I do not herein claim.

said parts, as the same form the subject matter of my pending application, Serial No. 482,068 and are reserved therefor.

It is evident that my improved cover may be used on other receptacles and that considerable change may be made in the relative construction and arrangement of the parts of my improved cover without departing from the spirit of my invention. Hence I do not herein' specifically limit myself to the exact detail construction and arrangement of said parts.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination of a body, a guide hinged to the body, and a cover section sup ported by the guide and movable along the same into and out of operative position, sub stantially as set forth.

2. The combination of a body, a guide hinged to the body, a cover section supported by the guide and movable along the same into and out of operative position, and a fastener for securing the cover section in its normal position, substantially as described.

3. The combination of a body, a guide hinged to the body, a cover section supported by the guide and movable along the same into and out of operative position, a second guide hinged to the body and a second cover section arranged alongside of the former and supported by the latter guide andmovable along the same into and out of operative position, the latter cover section being provided with a shoulder lapping upon the former cover section, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

4:. The combination of. a body, a guide hinged to the body, a cover section supported by the guide and movable along the same into and out of operative position, a second guide hinged to the body,asecond cover section arranged along side of the former and supported by the latter guide and movable along the same into and out of operative position, the latter cover section being provided with a shoulder lapping upon the former cover section, and a fastenerfor engaging the latter cover section and securingsaid cover sections in their operative position, substantially as and for the purpose described.

5. The combination of a body, a guide hinged to one side of the body, a cover section supported by the guide and movable along the same into and out of operative position, a secondguide hinged to the opposite side of the body, and a second cover section supported by the latter guide and movable along the same into and outof operative position, and formed with a shoulder at its free edge engaging the adjacent edge of the former cover section, substantially as and for the I purpose specified.

6. The combination of a body, a guide hinged to one side of the body, a cover section supported by the guide and movable along the same into and out of operative position, a flange at the inner edge of the cover section provided with a socket, asecond guide hinged to theopposite side of the body, a second cover section supported by the latter guide and movable along the same into and out of operative position, and a flange at the inner edge of the second cover section formed with a projecting shoulder or lug for engaging the socket in the corresponding flange on the former cover section, substantially as and-for the purpose described.

7. The combination of a body, a guide hinged to the body, a cover section supported by the guide and movable along the sameinto and out of operative position, and a stop for limiting the movement of the cover section, substantially as set forth.

8. The combination of a body, a guide hinged at one end to the body, a cover section supported by the guide and movable along the same into and out of operative position, and a stop for limiting the movement of the cover section when assuming its operative position, substantially as described.

9. The combination of a body, a guide hinged at one end to the upper portion of one side of the body and having its other end movable upon the top edge of said side, and a cover section movable lengthwise of said guide, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

10. The combination of a body, a guide hinged at one end to the upper portion of one side of the body, and having its other end movable upon the top edge of said side, a cover section movable lengthwise of said guide, and stops for engaging the opposite extremities of said hinged guide, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

11. The combination of a body, a guide hinged at one end to the upper portion of one side of the body, and having its other end movable upon the top edge of said side, a

cover section movable lengthwise of said guide, and astop for engaging said body and preventing the cover section from movement along said guide, substantially as set forth.

12. The combination of a body provided with a substantially fixed projecting rib or shoulder at the upper edge of one of its sides, a cover section movable into and out of perative position, and a stop on said cover section for engaging said rib and preventing movement of said cover section, substantially as described.

13. The combination of a body provided with a projecting rib or shoulder at the upperedge of one of its sides formed with a cutout, a guide hinged to the upper portion of saidside of the body having one extremity registered with said cut-out, and a cover section movably mounted on said guide, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

14. The combination of a body provided with a projecting rib or shoulder at the upper edge of one of its sides, a cover section movable into and-out of operative position, a stop on said cover section for engaging said rib and preventing movement of said cover section, and a supporting piece secured to said side of the body for supporting said rib, substantially as and for the purpose described.

15. The combination of a body, a guide having one end hinged to one side of the body and the other formed with an arm normally resting upon the top edge of said side of the body, and a cover section movable lengthwise of said guide into and out of operative position, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

16. The combination of a body formed with a projecting rib on the edge of one of its sides, a pair of separated plates secured to the outer face of said side and provided with sockets in their adjacent edges, a guide formed at one end with trunnions hinged in said sockets and provided at the other end with an arm mounted on the top edge of said side of the body, and a cover section movable lengthwise of said guide, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

17. The combination of a body, a guide hinged at one end to one side of the body, a cover section supported on the guide and movable lengthwise of the same into and out of operative position, and a shoulder -E having a rounding face e'' for engaging said side of the body, substantially as described.

18. The combination of a body, a guide hinged at one end to one side of the body, a cover section supported on the guide and movable lengthwise of the same into and out of operative position, a fastener K-- secured to said side and formed with a cross bar hand a hook --h secured to the lower extremity of the cover section and formed with an inclined engaging shoulder -h substantially as specified.

19. The combination of a body, a guide hinged at one end to one side of the body, a

cover section supported on the guide and movable lengthwise of the same into and out of operative position, and a shoulder D- for engaging the upper face of the guide and limiting the movement of said section, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

20. The combination of a body, a guide hinged at one end to one side of the body, a cover section supported on the guide and movable lengthwise of the same into and out of operative position, and a shoulder -D for engaging the upper face of the guide and limiting the movement of said section, a fastener K- secured to said side and formed with across bar hand a hook -h secured to the lower extremity of the cover section and formed with an inclined engaging shoulder h substantially as described.

21. The combination of a body, a pair of separated plates secured to the outer face of the body, and provided with sockets in their adjacent edges, a guide provided at one end with trunnions hinged in said sockets and a cover section movable along the guide, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

22. The combination of a body, a guide hinged to one side of the body and formed with a groove having its outer portion of less width than its base, a cover section provided with a shoulder movable in said groove and having its outer edge of greater width than its base, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name, in the presence of two attesting witnesses, at Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga, in the State of New York, this 1st day of December, 1892.

THOMAS M. NALTON.

Witnesses:

CLARK H. NORTON, M. BAXTER. 

